Double Chimpanzee Trekking experience
Quick Answer
What Is Double Chimpanzee Trekking?
Double chimpanzee trekking means completing two separate standard chimpanzee tracking sessions during the same safari. In Kibale, this may be arranged as one morning session and another later in the day when the appropriate permits are available. Each trek has its own briefing, forest search and permitted viewing period.
Two independently booked chimpanzee tracking sessions.
A separate permit is required for every standard trek.
Up to one hour after locating chimpanzees on each successful trek.
Uganda’s best-known chimpanzee tracking destination.
Why Trek Chimpanzees Twice?
Chimpanzees are highly mobile wild animals. Their location, group composition and behaviour can change considerably during the course of a day. One trek may find chimpanzees feeding high in fruiting trees, while another can encounter individuals travelling along the forest floor, grooming, resting, vocalising or interacting with other members of the community.
This is why a second trek is not necessarily a repetition of the first. Forest light may be different, chimpanzee movements may have changed and the individuals you observe may be positioned differently. Photographers often appreciate this second opportunity because chimpanzee photography is strongly affected by vegetation, movement and available light.
Travellers whose main interest is spending a longer continuous period around chimpanzees can also compare double tracking with the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda.
Best Ways to Plan Double Chimpanzee Trekking
You can track chimpanzees twice in Kibale or combine two different chimpanzee destinations as part of a longer western Uganda safari.
Why Kibale Is Ideal for Double Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale National Park is Uganda’s principal chimpanzee tracking destination and provides the most practical setting for travellers who want two standard tracking experiences. Current Uganda Wildlife Authority information lists chimpanzee tracking departures from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre during the morning and afternoon.
For double trekking, the important point is that you purchase two independent tracking opportunities. The second permit does not extend the first trek. You complete one session, leave the forest according to the ranger-guided programme and later report again for the next confirmed tracking session.
Because each forest search can take several hours depending on chimpanzee movements, a same-day double trek should be arranged carefully. Your itinerary should allow sufficient time for the first trek to finish and for lunch, rest and registration before the later tracking session.
For more information about the destination, read our Kibale National Park guide.
What Happens During Each Chimpanzee Trek?
Your chimpanzee experience begins with registration and a briefing from the ranger team. You then enter the forest with trained guides who use recent chimpanzee movements, vocalisations, feeding locations, nests and other signs to help locate the habituated community.
Tracking duration varies because chimpanzees are wild and move naturally through the forest. Once the chimpanzees are located, standard tracking allows a maximum of one hour with them. You then leave the chimpanzees under the direction of your ranger-guide and complete that tracking session.
During a double trek, the process begins again for the second permit. The later experience may therefore involve a different route through the forest, different chimpanzee positions and completely different behaviour.
Morning vs Afternoon Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee behaviour can never be guaranteed, but entering the forest at different times gives you two independent opportunities to experience changing chimpanzee movements and forest conditions.
Kibale Chimpanzee Permit Prices for 2026
A double chimpanzee trekking experience requires two standard permits. The permit component of your budget is therefore twice the applicable single-trek rate.
| Visitor Category | Single Kibale Permit | Two Kibale Treks |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Non-Resident | USD 250 | USD 500 |
| Foreign Resident | USD 200 | USD 400 |
| East African Citizen | UGX 180,000 | UGX 360,000 |
The figures above are the permit component only. Accommodation, transportation, meals and other safari activities are separate unless your quotation specifically states otherwise.
Kibale Chimpanzee Permit Prices from 1 January 2027
Uganda Wildlife Authority has announced revised chimpanzee tracking tariffs effective from 1 January 2027.
| Visitor Category | Single Trek | Two Treks |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Non-Resident | USD 300 | USD 600 |
| Foreign Resident | USD 200 | USD 400 |
| Rest of Africa | USD 100 | USD 200 |
| East African Citizen | UGX 180,000 | UGX 360,000 |
Always use the tariff that applies to your actual trekking date rather than the date on which you make the enquiry.
Low-Season Chimpanzee Permit Rates
Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced discounted chimpanzee tracking rates for the months of April, May and November. The discounted rate is USD 200 for Foreign Non-Residents and USD 150 for Foreign Residents.
If both permits qualify for the promotional rate, a Foreign Non-Resident would pay USD 400 for the two tracking permits, while a qualifying Foreign Resident would pay USD 300. UWA states that permits bought under this low-season promotion cannot be rescheduled, so your trekking dates should be firm before payment.
Option Two: Kibale and Kyambura Gorge
Double chimpanzee trekking does not have to mean entering the same forest twice. An excellent alternative is one chimpanzee trek in Kibale followed by another in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The main advantage is habitat diversity. Kibale provides a large tropical forest environment, whereas Kyambura involves descending into a deeply forested gorge surrounded by the savannah landscape of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The combination works particularly well if you also want game drives or the Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
You can structure the trip around our Kibale and Queen Elizabeth chimpanzee safari or extend the journey with a 4-day wildlife and chimpanzee tour.
Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Permit Prices
For travel under the current 2026 tariff, chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge is USD 100 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 80 for Foreign Residents and UGX 50,000 for East African citizens.
From 1 January 2027, the revised UWA tariff is USD 200 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 150 for Foreign Residents, USD 100 for Rest of Africa visitors and UGX 50,000 for East African citizens.
This makes Kyambura particularly useful as a second chimpanzee experience when Queen Elizabeth National Park is already included in the safari route.
Option Three: Kibale and Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is another chimpanzee tracking destination in western Uganda and fits naturally into itineraries connecting Kibale with Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides a different forest environment and can be considered by travellers who want two chimpanzee experiences without returning to the same tracking location.
Kalinzu is managed separately from the UWA Kibale permit system, so its permit price and current booking procedure should be reconfirmed for the actual travel date before payment.
Read our detailed guide to chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve and Kibale National Park.
Double Trekking or Chimpanzee Habituation?
Both experiences give you more chimpanzee time than one standard trek, but they are structured very differently.
Chimpanzee Habituation Permit Prices
For travellers deciding between two standard treks and chimpanzee habituation, it is useful to compare the permit costs as well as the structure of the experience.
Under the 2026 tariff, the Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is USD 300 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 250 for Foreign Residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.
From 1 January 2027, the rate becomes USD 400 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 300 for Foreign Residents, USD 250 for Rest of Africa visitors and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.
The choice should not be based only on price. Double trekking provides two separate standard encounters, whereas habituation is an extended experience focused on a chimpanzee community undergoing habituation.
Who Should Consider Double Chimpanzee Trekking?
Chimpanzee Enthusiasts
Ideal when seeing and observing chimpanzees is one of the main reasons for travelling to Uganda.
Photographers
A second session provides another opportunity if lighting, vegetation or chimpanzee positions are difficult during the first trek.
Primate Lovers
It fits naturally into a journey that also includes mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other primate species.
Repeat Safari Travellers
Useful for visitors who prefer deeper wildlife experiences rather than trying to cover many destinations quickly.
When One Chimpanzee Trek May Be Enough
A double trek is not automatically suitable for every traveller. If your Uganda safari is short, you prefer greater activity variety or you do not want to complete two forest walks during the same day, one chimpanzee trek may be sufficient.
You can then use the available time for Bigodi Wetland birding and nature walks, crater lakes, Queen Elizabeth National Park or another wildlife activity.
The choice depends on whether your priority is more chimpanzee observation or greater variety during the safari.
Age and Fitness Requirements
Chimpanzee tracking involves walking on natural forest trails that can become muddy, slippery or uneven. Completing two trekking sessions during one day can therefore be more demanding than participating in one standard trek.
Current Uganda Wildlife Authority visitor information for Kibale states that participants must be at least 16 years old for chimpanzee tracking. Families travelling with teenagers should confirm the applicable age rule when permits are being booked.
If you have mobility concerns or prefer a slower safari pace, mention this before booking so that the itinerary can be structured realistically.
Preparing for Two Chimpanzee Treks
Two forest sessions require good preparation, particularly if both are scheduled on the same day.
Walking Shoes
Use comfortable hiking footwear with good grip for roots, mud and uneven tropical forest trails.
Long Clothing
Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt help protect your skin from vegetation and insects.
Rain Protection
Carry a lightweight rain jacket because Kibale is a tropical rainforest and showers can occur throughout the year.
Water & Energy
Carry drinking water and plan an appropriate meal or snack between trekking sessions.
See our Uganda safari packing guide for a more complete preparation list.
Where Should You Stay?
For two Kibale trekking sessions, accommodation close to the Kibale tracking area is usually more practical than staying far away. Short transfer times become especially valuable when you need an early start and plan to return for another session later in the day.
If your double chimpanzee safari combines Kibale with Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu, it is normally better to use a Kibale-area lodge for the first destination and then move to accommodation around Queen Elizabeth National Park for the second part of the safari.
Accommodation for Double Chimpanzee Trekking
The right lodge depends on which forests you are visiting, your budget and the rest of your Uganda itinerary.
Example Same-Day Double Trekking Plan in Kibale
The exact timing must follow the sessions confirmed on your permits and the instructions given by Uganda Wildlife Authority, but a double chimpanzee tracking day can generally be structured as follows.
Breakfast and transfer to the chimpanzee briefing point.
Briefing followed by the first chimpanzee tracking session.
Return from the forest, rest and have lunch before the later session.
Return for registration and complete the second confirmed tracking session.
We would normally avoid adding another demanding activity after the second trek. The purpose of this day is to give sufficient time and energy to the two chimpanzee experiences.
How Many Days Do You Need?
3 Days
A practical short option from Entebbe or Kampala: travel to Kibale, dedicate one day to the two chimpanzee sessions and return the following day.
4 Days
Provides a more relaxed itinerary with time for Bigodi Wetland, crater lakes or Fort Portal activities.
5+ Days
Useful when combining Kibale with Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest or Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife activities.
For itinerary ideas, see our 4-day chimpanzee tracking safari or our 6-day Kibale, Semuliki and Queen Elizabeth safari.
What Can You Combine with Double Chimpanzee Trekking?
Once both chimpanzee permits are secured, you can build a broader Uganda wildlife and primate safari around the confirmed tracking dates.
Best Time for Double Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale operates throughout the year, so double trekking can be planned in any month when the required permits are available. Drier periods can make forest trails easier to walk, while wetter periods create lush forest scenery and can influence where chimpanzees find food.
The best period therefore depends on your priorities. Travellers mainly concerned about trail conditions may prefer the relatively drier seasons, while photographers may appreciate the green vegetation and atmospheric rainforest conditions of wetter months.
Regardless of the month, carry rain protection because Kibale is a tropical forest and rainfall can occur throughout the year.
Getting to Kibale National Park
Kibale lies in western Uganda and is commonly reached by private road transfer from Entebbe or Kampala through Fort Portal. The route can also form part of a longer circuit linking Kibale with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi, Lake Mburo or other destinations.
Travellers with limited time can discuss domestic flight possibilities to western Uganda followed by a private road transfer. The most practical transport option depends on your international flights, safari duration, budget and the other parks included in the itinerary.
For travellers continuing south after Kibale, our custom Uganda safari packages can combine chimpanzees with wildlife and mountain gorillas without unnecessary backtracking.
How to Book a Double Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
- Send your preferred travel dates and number of travellers.
- Confirm the age and visitor category of each participant.
- Decide whether you want two Kibale treks or two different forests.
- Check permit availability for both tracking sessions.
- Confirm the two permits before finalizing the lodge.
- Choose accommodation that is practical for the confirmed tracking location.
- Arrange private transport and any additional activities.
- Complete the permit payment and remaining safari confirmation requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming one permit covers two trekking sessions. Double trekking requires two separate standard permits.
- Describing it as one continuous two-hour encounter. These are two independently operated tracking sessions.
- Confusing double trekking with chimpanzee habituation. They use different permits and different experience structures.
- Overloading the same day. Two forest treks may already make for a long and active day.
- Booking accommodation far from the tracking point.
- Expecting exactly the same chimpanzee behaviour during both sessions.
- Using an old permit tariff when planning future travel.
- Forgetting to confirm the participant age requirement before buying permits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Double Chimpanzee Trekking
1. What is a double chimpanzee trekking experience?
It means completing two separate standard chimpanzee tracking sessions during the same Uganda safari instead of participating in only one trek.
2. Can I trek chimpanzees twice in one day?
Yes, this can be arranged in Kibale when appropriate earlier and later tracking permits are available and the confirmed sessions allow sufficient time between the two activities.
3. Do I need two chimpanzee permits?
Yes. Each standard chimpanzee tracking session requires its own valid permit.
4. Does double trekking mean two continuous hours with chimpanzees?
No. The two viewing periods are part of separate treks. Standard chimpanzee tracking permits a maximum of one hour with the chimpanzees after they are located during each session.
5. Where is the best place for double chimpanzee trekking?
Kibale National Park is the most practical option for two standard tracking sessions because it is Uganda’s principal chimpanzee trekking destination and operates multiple tracking departures.
6. Can I combine Kibale and Kyambura Gorge?
Yes. This option gives you two very different forest environments and combines naturally with a Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife safari.
7. Can I combine Kibale and Kalinzu Forest?
Yes. Kalinzu can provide a second forest experience on a route from Kibale toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.
8. What is the minimum age for Kibale chimpanzee tracking?
Current Uganda Wildlife Authority visitor information for Kibale states that chimpanzee tracking participants must be at least 16 years old.
9. How long does each chimpanzee trek take?
The total duration varies according to chimpanzee movements, forest conditions and the time needed to locate the community. The one-hour standard viewing period begins once the chimpanzees have been located.
10. How long can I stay with the chimpanzees?
Standard chimpanzee tracking allows a maximum of one hour with the chimpanzees after the encounter during each trek.
11. Is double trekking the same as chimpanzee habituation?
No. Double trekking involves two separate standard tracking permits, whereas the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is an extended activity with chimpanzees undergoing habituation.
12. How much will two Kibale permits cost in 2027?
From 1 January 2027, two Kibale chimpanzee permits total USD 600 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 400 for Foreign Residents, USD 200 for Rest of Africa visitors or UGX 360,000 for East African citizens.
13. When should I book the permits?
Book as early as practical once your travel dates are reasonably firm, particularly when you require two permits for specific sessions on the same day.
14. Can I combine double chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking?
Yes. Kibale connects naturally with Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi, allowing chimpanzees and mountain gorillas to be included in one Uganda primate safari.
15. Can Safari Vacations arrange both chimpanzee permits?
Yes. Safari Vacations and Travel Services can check permit availability for both sessions and coordinate the chimpanzee permits, accommodation, private transportation and additional safari activities included in your itinerary.
Is Double Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda Worth Planning?
A double chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda is particularly appealing when chimpanzees are a major focus of your safari. Two separate treks provide two independent opportunities to enter the forest, locate habituated chimpanzees and observe their behaviour rather than relying on a single encounter.
Kibale offers the easiest way to structure two standard trekking sessions, while combinations such as Kibale plus Kyambura Gorge or Kibale plus Kalinzu Forest provide greater habitat variety. The best arrangement depends on the number of safari days available, your physical comfort, permit availability and whether the rest of your trip will focus mainly on primates or include Uganda’s wider wildlife.
If your priority is spending a longer continuous period around chimpanzees rather than completing two separate standard treks, compare the experience with chimpanzee habituation in Kibale before making your final decision.
Two Chimpanzee Permits • Kibale • Private 4×4 • Custom Uganda Safaris
Ready to Book a Double Chimpanzee Trekking Experience?
Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, nationality or residency category, number of safari days and whether you would like two Kibale treks or a combination such as Kibale with Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest. We can check the applicable chimpanzee permit availability and design the safari around the confirmed sessions.
